MatchThe opposition lowdown: Leeds United

The Reds travel to west Yorkshire to take on Javi Gracia's outfit in the Premier League and here, we take a closer look at the hosts ahead of the contest…

Key men

Front man Rodrigo Moreno has been the standout performer in front of goal for Leeds this term.

The Spaniard has found the back of the net on 11 occasions for his side and has recently returned from injury to bolster the attack.

Wingers Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville have both scored four times, while Luis Sinisterra and Patrick Bamford – who have also returned to full fitness in recent weeks – have three goals respectively.

Harrison has also been Leeds' best provider to date, having laid on the crucial pass on six occasions, with Brenden Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto totalling three assists each.

Recent form

Since Gracia's arrival at Elland Road, Leeds have picked up 10 points from his seven games in charge.

The head coach has overseen wins over Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest in that period, with a lone draw coming versus Brighton & Hove Albion.

Defeats have been against Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace – with the latter claiming a 5-1 victory over Leeds last time out.

Style of play

Joe Donnohue, Leeds United journalist, Yorkshire Evening Post

"Javi Gracia has implemented a more measured and controlled approach to Leeds' play since replacing Jesse Marsch earlier this season. The Spaniard is more pragmatic than his American counterpart, and has demonstrated flexibility in his tactical set-up – switching between aggressive front-foot football against sides lower in the table, and a more reserved, defensive style versus teams higher in the standings.

"While Leeds' recent defeats to Arsenal and Crystal Palace are perhaps not representative of a discernible change in approach, visually the team appear less exposed in transition, whilst still carrying an attacking threat.

"The absence of January signing Max Wober has certainly impacted Leeds' defensive performance in recent weeks, exacerbated by defensive midfield lynchpin Tyler Adams' absence, who will sit out Monday's game after hamstring surgery.

"Leeds tend to use the full width of the pitch since Gracia arrived, discarding Marsch's focus on centrality, and have had particular joy down the left through the combination play of Junior Firpo and Willy Gnonto.

"Gracia is most likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation against Liverpool, although he is open to something which resembles more of a defensive-minded 4-3-3 with the wider central midfielders doubling as cover for the full-backs during opposition attacks."

Previous meetings

Leeds and Liverpool have met once previously in the 2022-23 campaign to date.

That fixture came in Premier League action at Anfield in October, with the Whites claiming a 2-1 victory in L4 under former boss Jesse Marsch.

The Reds, though, secured a 3-0 win during this fixture at Elland Road last season, as Mohamed Salah, Fabinho and Sadio Mane found the back of the net.

Stats

Monday's fixture will be Leeds' third home game in succession – they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1, before losing 5-1 to Crystal Palace last weekend.

Twenty of the Whites' 29 points in the Premier League have been accrued at Elland Road this season.

Liverpool have won seven of the last 10 Premier League fixtures between the teams (drawing two and losing one) – and are unbeaten in their last five visits to Elland Road.

What they said

"For us, this game is crucial," Gracia told his pre-match press conference. "It's one we have to take advantage of. It is not a final because there are eight games left, but we have to live it like that. We know it will be very demanding but we have to give 100 per cent."

He added: "We just try to be focused on ourselves and to compete in the best way. If we are faithful with our plans, we will have many chances to achieve our target at the end of the season."